I have paper work saying that a 1956 mercury 312 y block was transplanted into my truck in the early 60's what is one worth that still runs like a top?

 

Probably as much as an old boat anchor. I'd wouldn't wish upon my worst enemies the task of having to find replacement parts or rebuild kits for that thing. Cool motors for sure, but they are obsolete and would be more trouble than worth to fix and use normally.

Simple rule of supply and demand: supply low, demand lower = worth little.

However I'm simply using common sense to tell me the demand is low, maybe there is a market for these I don't know about.

 

It's not a boat anchor. They are still quite popular for nostalgia reasons. People do pay several hundred, and sometimes, several thousand for a good 312. Personally, I quite like the old Y-blocks. My family has enjoyed many years of reliable service from the old Ys that grace our old Fords. The parts are not hard to find at all, except for the '54 only 239, due to its large cam journal, as opposed to the other Ys having a small cam journal. Everyone, from Jeg's, to Summit, to Speedway, etc., etc. have parts available for the 239-312 small cam Y-blocks. They are comparable to many newer engines to rebuild. For that matter, I was in NAPA when checking for the '54 239 I rebuilt, and everything was available, over night, from the NAPA northwest wharehouse, for the 239-312 small journal, and only some of the '54 only 239 was available. I spent $1040 at the local machine shop for everything I needed done on the '54 239, that included all parts, and labor, including bead blasting numerous parts, tanking everything, and even tanking the transmission, steering box, and all the tin work for me, as well as machining the king pins, and bushings into the knuckles. So, parts are readily available, and there is a market, but I don't think you'll get much more than $500 out of it, and that is dependant on the advertised region.

 

If it is a 312, many people would want it.Check out the Y-Block section of FTE.And join here:


Y-BlocksForever Forum

There is no problem finding parts for old Y's,with the exception of the 239, and there are more and more performance parts becomingavailable,including aluminum heads from John Mummert.

FORD Y

They are bullet-proof when maintained properly.If you want to build a Y for performance,that can easily be done.They are definitely not boat anchors,and in the condition you describe, worth more than 500.00.There are still thousands of them on the road.I commute 60-80 miles per day in my 1959 F250 w/292.

Check out Tim's site,he did my motor a few years ago.

http://yblockguy.com/



Steve

 

i have one rebuilt 30 over has about 4hrs of run time on it got it with my truck but im not going to use it.

 

Man I was way off. I am somewhat shocked that the parts are so easily available though.
Glad I was set strait....

 

It's all good. Now, you are right, though, for a time, they were boat anchors that were hard to get parts for. It wasn't really until recently (past 10 years maybe) that they came back. And came back they did, with a vegance. You can get just about everything but the block from aftermarket suppliers. Aluminum heads are even available now. John Mummert has tons of goodies, and I've seen the site Steve's talking about. There really has been an increase in demand, and the world has increased its interest in parts for them. How about this one......279, and 317 truck Y-blocks, no longer boat anchors when worn out. Entire rotating assembly rebuild kits available. The 239 is easily rebuilt too, as long as it's a '55, and not the '54 large cam.

 

I would like a 312 for my 56 M100 but around here they are very scarce and there`s not really any hope of ever finding a good one.

 

i also drive about 80 miles a day in my 59 f100 with a 292 and i get about 20 mpgs and never been rebuilt. ford used designs from the y block on the new 5.0, from what ive been told.

 

Bert's auto wrecking in Dryden Ontario may have what you want Morris. I took the body off of a F-600 that had a running (so I was told) 312 or 317 and working PTO that I wasn't interested in. The old fellow died last year and the son took over and will likely clean out the yard.

 

Well I am In Montana if any one needs one and it runs!